As one of the world’s oldest hobbies, coin collecting is done for many reasons – from desiring to own a piece of history to supporting an investment strategy to having fun. The key is collecting genuine coins, which helps to know the best place to buy coins online.
Suppose you’re interested in old coins or want to diversify your investments into collectibles. In that case, you want to work with a reputable coin dealer to avoid getting taken by a counterfeiter. You can use this article to find the best place to buy coins online to get you started on your coin-collecting journey.
Quick Look: Best Place to Buy Coins Online
- Best for Precious Metals: APMEX
- Best for Variety of Coins: eBay
- Best for Collectibles: Heritage Auctions
- Best for Rare Coins: Stack’s Bowers Galleries
- Best for Free Listing of Coins: USA Coin Book
- Best for Quick Sell or Purchase: Local Coin Dealers
6 Best Places to Buy Coins Online
Starting anything new can be intimidating. Even collecting coins may make you a bit off-center if you feel unsure where to begin. Understanding more about the best place to buy coins online can help put your mind at ease, whether you’re starting to collect as a hobbyist or an investor. Here are six of the best places to get your coins online.
APMEX
APMEX is one of the world’s largest online marketplaces for precious metals. With more than 20 years in business, the company is also one of the most trusted dealers of precious metals and coins. The team of numismatists at APMEX has more than 60 years of combined experience buying, selling and valuing coins.
Why We Picked It: APMEX is known for making buying and selling quick and easy. Its streamlined selling process can get you paid in one or two days after it verifies the quality and quantity of your products.
If you want your product fast, APMEX offers its QuickShip® Program, which accepts same-day bank wires for domestic purchases. All APMEX transactions require a minimum product value of $1,000.
eBay
Few are better known than eBay when it comes to online marketplaces. Its marketplace for buying and selling coins is one of the most active among collectibles. The easy-to-use online marketplace has about 132 million users worldwide and is well-liked because sellers can set prices.
Why We Picked It: Sellers have three options for listing products on eBay – they can set a price for an item to be purchased as Buy It Now, set a starting price for auction or place a classified ad for the item to be sold offline. This gives you additional ways to purchase coins you’re interested in.
The top-selling coins on eBay include the 1922 S U.S. Peace Silver Dollar, the Silver Ben Franklin Half Dollar and the 1964 Proof Silver Kennedy Half Dollar.
Heritage Auction
Heritage Auctions is a multinational auction house that handles various items, from rare books to real estate. It is the third-largest auction house in the world and the global leader in auctioning collectibles. Heritage Auctions cleared $1.76 billion in sales in 2023.
Why We Picked It: Heritage Auctions has a clear process for buying items through its online site. Experienced appraisers on staff at the auction house evaluate each seller’s products and if accepted, Heritage Auctions can buy the items outright or sell them through consignment.
Coins can be sold through Heritage Auctions for a fee of 10% for a $2,500 coin down to 3% for a coin sold at $1 million or more. Sellers can expect a check 45 days after their auctions close.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, with offices from New York to Hong Kong, Stack’s Bowers Galleries is the world’s oldest and most prominent rare coin auctioneer, having bought and sold rare U.S., world and ancient coins and currency since 1933.
Why We Picked It: Stack’s Bowers Galleries has conducted several record-breaking coin auctions, including the 2013 sale of the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar for more than $10 million. The coin is considered one of the first silver dollars struck by the U.S. Mint.
USA Coin Book
Founded by a collector for collectors, USA Coin Book is a leading online platform for buying and selling rare U.S. coins. Unlike other sites, USA Coin Book doesn’t charge you for listing your coins on the website. The company makes money only when your coin sells. USA Coin Book takes a low 2% of the value of the sale.
Why We Picked It: An easy-to-use database lets you keep track of your coin collections and access is available from mobile devices and desktops. You can also easily look up coin prices without an additional app.
Local Coin Dealers
While you can find them online, coin dealers might be just around the corner from you. Local coin dealers are knowledgeable and can be valuable resources for buying and selling rare coins and paper money.
You might not get the highest retail value for your coins because dealers have to make a profit. However, you may find offers that match or exceed online prices.
Why We Picked It: A benefit of buying or selling through a local coin dealer is the privacy of the transaction. By contrast, online and in-person auctions are very public.
The Best Place to Buy Coins Online? Consider Your Options
You have many options online – and offline – to buy coins and start collecting or investing. The marketplaces range from online dealers or auctioneers who deal in the rarest coins to others who provide access to an array of coins at many price points.
If you want to begin collecting, a marketplace exists at almost every level of affordability. One of the most important considerations is your due diligence to find a reputable coin dealer to handle your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the safest place to buy coins?
To buy coins with confidence that they are genuine, purchase from a reputable coin dealer, preferably a member of organizations like the American Numismatic Association or the Professional Numismatists Guild. You also can buy new coins from the U.S. Mint or bullion coins from banks.
Is it safe to buy coins online?
Buying coins online is safe if you know you’re dealing with a reputable coin seller. You can find various coin prices that fit your budget, from eBay to well-known auction houses. The American Numismatic Association provides an online directory to find reputable dealers in your area or nationwide.
What is the most counterfeited U.S. coin?
The Numismatic Guaranty Company, a top grader of coins, ranks the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent as the world’s most counterfeited coin based on coins it inspects. Counterfeiters often add small design elements, such as an “S,” the mintmark for San Francisco or “V.D.B.,” the initials of the coin’s designer, to Lincoln pennies.